Rebel of the Sands

I am being generous by giving this three stars because it is the author's first book. I had a hard time with the mix of Old West and Middle East mythology. The dialogue was forced and I was very tired of a sentence beginning with "I reckon". Amani and Jin were standard characters, and the action toward the end of the book was disjointed and, frankly, confusing. It was also convenient that the main character lost track of things after a key villain does. I also did not find this book particularly clever or "hilarious" as some reviews have claimed.

I stayed up until 4am reading this because I literally actually could not put it down. It was just so clever, funny, compassionate though at times inscrutable characters. The protagonist is full of dedication and struggle and integrity in the midst of a growing civil war. Combines a fantasy world of djinnis with some elements of reality (re: sultans and weapons and current political situation in the middle east) through the young eyes of someone who could easily have been of our world too. Just a great overall read, though the language can at times be a bit simple and tawdry.

I thought it was a little simplistic. Also this book would need a sequel to tie up all the lose ends. There is no mention of any sequel. Now we will never know if the simple girl with her newly discovered talents will get the prince for good and live happily ever after.

I probably should have noticed that this is listed as young adult fiction. I am not a young adult, and I found the writing and story to be juvenile. The story is cute and interesting enough to read, if you must, but the plot and character development is thin.

Fairy Tales
Welcome to a brand new fantasy world where you get to learn about everything: all the stories, all the fables, all the little secrets and cultural aspects… whether you want to or not. While I enjoyed hearing about some of these stories, the way they were presented felt a lot like an info-dump. They weren’t magical, just a nuisance and information-heavy. It’s hard to remember everything when it’s all dropped on you at once and it had a tendency to slow down the pace of the story.

Magical Explanations
I really loved the way this world was designed. I generally don’t like magic too much, but this magic had rules and limitations, and it was very well implemented into the non-magical world. There was an explanation and the required realism for me to believe the plot. This is why the plot worked so well.

Lacking Clarity
While reading, there were quite a few times where I was confused about what was happening. Not particularly in the plot, but in the scene. The description wasn’t clear enough for me to know what was going on and that has a tendency to take me out of a book because I don’t know how the characters got from point A to point B in a scene. Quite disappointing.

Difficult Topics
One thing I quite enjoyed about this book was how it didn’t shy away from a realistic topic that still exists in the world today (some places more heavily than others): equality for women. The society in which the main character lives is male-dominant. Men own women. They can do whatever they want to them and no one can say anything against it, and this is something our MC fights consistently throughout the story. I liked this. It added a very frustrating, yet realistic quality.

This world--a desert kingdom inspired by Arabian culture with religious links to the First Beings (djinn and other mystical creatures)--is so vivid. But it's not an easy world, and for Amina, a sixteen-year-old orphan living in Dustwalk, in the middle of nowhere, all she wants to do is get out. Her opportunity comes in the unlikely form of a boy named Jin, who's wanted by the Sultan's soldiers. But as Amina gets farther from the world she was born to and learns more about the politics destroying her native land and the rebellion growing to change that, the more she begins to question who she really is--and what she wants.

I loved this book--I loved Amina's strength, and Jin's humor (even when it got him in trouble. Or maybe especially then). I adored the setting, how I could imagine riding through the night across a Nightmare-haunted desert. The story is wonderfully paced too. It has all my favorite things: a unique setting, a powerful romance, and terrifying and powerful creatures. Really, a book for all YA fantasy readers to enjoy.

This novel certainly lived up to all the hype before its release date! I was also happy to find out that, behind that beautiful, simply STUNNING cover, there was a greatly enjoyable story!

Like any skillful fiction writer, Hamilton knows that one of the keys to having readers fall in love with your novel is to write compelling, dynamic characters that literally live in the minds of these readers. She has certainly done that here! All of her characters and their emotions felt so real, that this novel quickly became a memorable one for me!

Amani Al'Hiza, the female protagonist, is too vibrant and dangerously intelligent for the society she was born into. In that society, women are commodities, bartered and given into marriage according to the dictates and whims of their fathers or other male relatives. Polygamy abounds, and is, of course, engaged in only by the men. Vividly reminiscent of extremist Muslim culture (except that women are not required to wear anything resembling a hijab), this is a heavily patriarchal society in which a young woman like Amani cannot hope to be her own person.

So she risks everything to escape from the town she was born in, leaving with only the clothes on her back, as well as her trusty gun. And the clothes on her back are those of a boy. This is the only way she can hope to evade capture, and a humiliating return to an existence she loathes. Much to her surprise and initial dismay, she soon becomes embroiled in a revolution she had not even known had been boiling in the hot desert sands....

Amani is a highly skilled gunslinger, something that would have gotten her into heaps of trouble, had her family known about it. But she has trained herself in secret, and is counting on her shooting expertise in order to navigate the dangers she will encounter in pursuit of her ultimate goal -- to live life on her own terms, and no one else's.

Jin is an equally compelling character. He is supremely confident, yet not arrogant. Of course, he's very easy on the eyes, especially Amani's. And yes, there's an air of danger and mystery about him. This is a common romance trope, although, in this novel, it's also used in the interests of the overall plot. Jin sees the same qualities in Amani, though, and is equally drawn to her. I love the nickname he gives her -- "The Blue-Eyed Bandit"! Romance is not a main focus of this novel, however. In fact, it's only hinted at, and takes a back seat to all the action. And there's plenty of that! Scenes change rapidly from Dustwalk, to a desert journey, to jumping on and off trains, to an oasis where Amani discovers just who Jin really is, and how his story ties in with the ultimate destiny of Miraji.

And so Amani, in quest of herself, ends up becoming a rebel of the sands in more ways than one. Her personality actually undergoes an evolution, as she gradually begins to focus on the needs of her country, which end up meshing with her own. Paradoxically, she does find herself in the process, and it's an interesting one. This is perhaps the most important element in the novel, and I love the way Hamilton interwove it with other plot elements.

There are actually several themes in this book, such as the overarching one of finding one's ultimate purpose. The other themes are the idealistic search for justice, sibling rivalry, the place of religion and magic in the lives of the characters, and the tension between self-interest versus altruism. All of these themes are perfectly interrelated and given dramatic form. As I read, I became totally immersed in them, right along with the characters.

The setting and action are totally riveting. The changing landscapes of the novel are vividly described, as well as the magical characters -- the Djinn, the magical, sand-formed horses, the various characters with strange paranormal powers. And encompassing it all is the ominous feel of the ever-present desert with hidden mysteries of its own.... In fact, the desert becomes a character, too, as we see its shifting aspects that somehow mirror the characters' own moods.

There are at least two villains in this novel, but the reader does not find out about one of them right away, and indeed, the identity of this person is a bit of a surprise, and a rather sad one, too. This unfortunate surprise gave even more realism to the plot, as it's the type of thing that all too often happens in the real world.

The secondary characters are equally compelling, and I'm very glad that Hamilton took as much care with them -- although, of course, they're not as fully-developed -- as she did with the main ones. There's Shazad, a strong female in her own right, and the second-in-command of the rebel forces. There's Bahi, who is a sort of spiritual leader, but not in any conventional sense. And there are the several rebels with paranormal powers, such as shapeshifting and the ability to ignite fires at a moment's notice.

The novel has a perfect balance of action and character development in the plot, along with observations on the religious and political aspects of life in the desert. Nothing is too heavy-handed, however. Hamilton never loses sight of the sheer, exhilarating adventure of it all, of the interplay between the individual characters in one-to-one situations, as well as in the bigger picture.

Summing up, this is a great fantasy/paranormal/adventure, as well as a coming-of-age read, with quite a bit of depth to it! And the totally kick-butt female protagonist will have readers cheering for her all the way! Feminism has never been so much fun, as well as serious business, paradoxically enough. I highly recommend this book to all fans of the above-mentioned genres, as well as those who enjoy reading about strong female heroes!

REBEL OF THE SANDS, you guys… It’s phenomenal!

It’s been a long time since I’ve had some good, solid FEELS for a book and I am ecstatic that REBEL OF THE SANDS was that book for me. It was truly love at first page for me and things only escalated from there!! I loved fierce, bold, and confident Amani who is ready to make a life for herself and get out of her small and useless town. She masquerades as a boy when she goes out to compete in the local shooting competition because it’s the only way she’ll be allowed to participate. Heck yes, I love girls that can run with the boys! I’m a little bit of a tomboy myself so I immediately loved Amani who is all desert and fire and gunpowder.

I really loved the entire feel of the book. Amani has this amazing spirit that really shines throughout and her need to escape and find a better life for herself really keeps the action moving forward. When she meets a handsome stranger, I immediately fell in love with him because they just had the best chemistry. I won’t say too much about him because it’s best to discover as you read, but he does become an incredibly important part of the book (this happens early on — no spoilers there) and he and Amani just have the best connection, both as friends and that spark to something more. Their banter is excellent and we all know how much I love banter! It easily captures me, makes me feel like the characters are that much more real, and I always love a humorous side to keep even the direst of situations light.

Every character really brings something special to the book. From Amani to Jin to the secondary characters like Shazad and Bahi, each person really comes to life, their personality adding so much to the atmosphere and feel of the book. I’m always especially impressed when supporting characters add so much to a book because I feel like they’re too easily pushed aside for main characters. These characters are just so well layered and they truly form the perfect team. There’s a little bit of everything captured within this cast of characters and they came together so well.

Honestly, everything in this book was so well done and it’s exactly what I want in the first book in a series. The world is built up and explained but I never felt like there was a case of infodump. Everything progressed so perfectly and the plot moved along at such a natural pace. The characters were amazing and immediately pulled me in. There’s just enough romance with some truly perfect moments that make you ache without going over the edge of instalove. There are some awesome reveals that keep readers flipping those pages but there’s still promise of so much more to come. I absolutely loved the book and I am so excited that it’s a series because I can’t wait to read and devour the rest!

Amani lives in a desert town called Dustwalk. The sand is where she belongs, but that doesn't mean she should stay where she is. She wants to escape and has the feeling she absolutely has to be somewhere else. She does everything she can to leave. When she meets Jin she knows she has a chance. Jin isn't from her town and he's being chased, he has to leave. He also knows how to get away and like Amani he can handle a gun. Together they're trying to free themselves form the people who are after them.

When Amani finally leaves Dustwalk she doesn't know how unsafe the desert really is. There's danger everywhere. She has to make alliances with people she barely knows, she has to fight and she discovers more about herself than she could have ever imagined. There are plenty of problems she has to face. She's being chased by the Sultan's soldiers and somehow finds herself in the middle of a dangerous political game. Will she be able to keep herself safe?

Rebel of the Sands is a spectacular book about djinns, immortal creatures, sand and guns. Amani is a fabulous, fierce heroine, she's tough and she knows how to defend herself. Jin is intriguing and I couldn't wait to find out more about him. I liked his background story and interesting history. Together they're getting into a lot of trouble and it was great to read about their escape plans, to see how they'd manage to get out.

I really enjoyed reading Rebel of the Sands. I think that's mostly because of the unique story and the original world building. Some parts of the story could have been a little bit more polished, but I had so much fun reading it that it didn't matter to me at all. I think this story is wonderful. It isn't a fast read, but it's definitely vivid. Alwyn Hamilton makes the desert come to life, which I loved very much. I liked the fighting scenes, the fact that Amani is so talented and the magical aspects. Rebel of the Sands is an amazing read filled with action and excitement.

*Note: I purchased this book in store. I should also preface this review by saying that it was hard not to compare this book to The Bear and the Nightingale and The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden, which I believe are two of the best folklore-based fantasy novels I’ve read in a while. Also, one of the best books I’ve read about jinni legend and folklore is The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker. Make of this what you will but I wanted to disclose where some of my initial biases and expectations for this book were coming from. So here we go.

OVERALL AVERAGE RATING: 3/5

World-building: 2.5/5
World-building in this book didn’t quite hit the mark for me (pun intended). The whole East meets West blend of cultural elements felt mismatched and inauthentic. I get that it’s supposed to be a fictional world. However, I was expecting a Middle Eastern-inspired world infused with elements of steampunk and high fantasy. Instead, it was Arabian Nights superficially slapped over an old cowboy Western. On a positive note, I did like the socio-political context and the conflict unfolding between the Sultan, Rebel Prince, and Gallan army.

Characters: 3/5
I found the protagonist, Amani, incredibly obnoxious for a good majority of the book. And look, I’m all for tough-as-nails, smart-mouthed, sharpshooting heroines. But Amani was just too brash and too impulsive. She basically only had three mood settings: 1) sarcastic, 2) angry, and 3) hot-for-Jin. There wasn’t much depth beyond that. I definitely think Hamilton could’ve fleshed out Amani’s character a little more. There was character development at least; Amani became marginally less obnoxious by the end of the book. The other characters were intriguing and tolerable enough. If anything, Shazad was probably the most interesting character in the book and she didn’t show up until much later in the story. I’d be more interested in reading a whole novel about her to be honest.

Plot: 4/5
The plot was probably the one thing that saved this book from being added to my DNF shelf. In spite of all the other pitfalls and shortcomings, the plot towards the end was action-packed and compelling. It started a little slow though. But let’s face it, a gun-toting female protagonist plus a ragtag group of rebels leading a revolution makes for a pretty cool premise. On this front, the book delivered. I didn’t care too much for the romance. It was too predictable. Like how convenient is it that the love interest would be devilishly handsome, muscular, tatted, and have a smile that would drive you to follow him to the ends of the desert.

Writing style: 2.5/5
The writing at times felt too simplistic and redundant. Some phrases and even jokes between characters felt overused. It also seemed like Hamilton rushed through some scenes where I felt like she could have really taken some time to develop it and build the climax. I also didn’t quite understand the author’s frequent use of fragments. Like what I’m doing now. Breaking apart my sentences. Like so. It seemed unnecessary. First person POV, I find, is always a little risky because it has a tendency to limit perspective. This is made even worse when you’ve been put inside the head of an annoying protagonist.

Entertainment: 3/5
Overall the book was entertaining enough but I don’t feel particularly compelled to continue the series. This book got way more eye-rolls from me than I care to give reading any book. There were definitely elements of this book that had potential and promise. Unfortunately, it just fell a little short in its execution.

First, Rebel of the Sands saved me from another reading slump. I am a mood reader, and lately I've been thinking that I need to read fluffy contemporaries or romantic NA books, but I was wrong, I needed this engaging fantasy! I needed Rebel of the Sands, because in the end, it had beautiful world-building, elaborate folklore and creatures, well-rounded characters, and an eager-to-finish storyline.

I am sucker for badass female characters, and Alwyn Hamilton, the author, does not disappoint with creating a feisty, determined heroine named Amani. Amani is not a character that grew on me; instead I fell instantly in love with her. Like Shakespeare's Rosalind in "As You Like It," Amani can crossdress with the best of them; she can shoot better than Annie Oakley; she upholds the compassion of J.K. Rowling's Ms. Weasley; and she is as baddass as Joss Whedon's Buffy. Furthermore, I loved Amani's ability to think before she acted, and a majority of the time her actions are cautious, selfless, and merciful.

Along with Amani, I loved the character Jin. He has the roguish, "outlaw" persona, but under his mischievous personality he has a caring heart. Plus the chemistry between Amani and Jin is perfectly crafted. These two characters challenge each other in the most swoonworthy ways. They are definitely a dynamic duo that will give you the warm fuzzies.

Rebel of the Sands is one of the most satisfying books I have read this year. I loved how unpredictable this book is, as well as how intricate it is, and how thought-provoking the main characters, secondary characters, and the fantastical characters, like the Nightmares, Skinwalkers, and Djinns, are depicted. More importantly, I loved how smoothly the plot unfolded; as I read each chapter, I honestly felt like I was delicately being carried away on a wistful breeze across the hot, desert sand.

Amani, parentless, is willing to do almost anything to leave her small, impoverished town so that she does not have to be forced to marry someone not of her choosing. While attempting to win earnings from a shooting contest that went wrong, she meets a stranger who gives her an out. Adventure ensues.
I really enjoyed this one—the storyline (once it got going), the characters, the Mid-Eastern setting and culture, the adventure, the magic, the relationships. However, I feel this author needs to work a little more at describing the changing scenes. There were quite a few times I could not really picture what was going on—where we were, how we got there, what *exactly* had happened. My mind was able to make up some things to fill in the blanks but I don’t believe I’ve ever wanted an author to describe things better. Usually, I feel that authors describe things too much! This was Hamilton’s debut novel and I have faith that she’ll get better the more she writes. To me, she’s already got the hard parts—storyline and characters--mastered. ? I look forward to continuing with the sequel and am THRILLED that I don’t have to wait too long. It was released last year!

Another white person trying to appropriate. I don't know anything about the author, they might have great intentions, but this story is jarbled from the beginning.
From a typo in the first chapter to the fact that the writing uses excess explanation (in the first three chapters alone the main character explains how they MIGHT want to do this or were THINKING about doing that. be decisive!). The writer also has a part in the early chapters where the protagonist fears her aunt will wipe her mouth out with sand because she swears. Really? Who does that?! Wipe her mouth out with soap is a common expression that makes sense because soap cleans. Wiping a mouth out with sand will dirty it further.

I get it - writing is all about personal experiences. So when you want to mix wild west and the arabian nights, it's not a great idea IMO to mention in interviews that you pulled from the french revolution. There is PLENTY of material to pull from with rebellions and overthrown governments in the Middle East over millenia. Maybe I'm reading the wrong interviews, but she also mentioned pulling from the Bible. Um, there are other religious texts out there more relevant to this material.

I feel like I'm taking crazy pills when I see all the positive reviews. Thank god I got it from the library.

This book and I had an interesting adventure. Normally, I read a book by picking it up, turning pages, reading words, and then finishing it. However, with Rebel of the Sands I got it as an audio book first. I wasn't intending to fall in love with it, but enjoy it, so I thought it would be a good book to fall asleep to. Since I tend to only buy audio books of novels I know for a fact I enjoy, this was a bit of an experiment. Then, once I reached the halfway point or so I decided, because I loved it, I'd rather have a physical copy that I could touch and put on a shelf. So I stopped listening to it and waited to go and buy it. And then, after buying it weeks later didn't pick it up for another month or so. But I did it- I finished it! And I really, really liked it!

Rebel of the Sands is set in a wild west/middle eastern desert-type setting and follows Amani, a master marksman who is desperate to get out of her small town and escape the traditional life of a girl. She escapes with the help of a foreigner who has ties to the rebellion and with him they traverse the desert to freedom.

I really, really loved this book. I loved the setting, the mythology created by Hamilton for this world, and the characters. I could go on and on about how wonderful this book is and sing its praises. Basically, if you're looking for a nontraditional but still fantastic fantasy, pick this up.

But now onto what I didn't like and what led to the book only getting four stars instead of five. Honestly, it's a matter of taste and what tropes I dislike in novels. And these tropes aren't really ones I see other people complaining about, so I think I'm in the minority here. Anyway, somewhat minor SPOILERS:

In the final third of the book a bunch of new characters were introduced. That's fine, but suddenly we, the readers, were meant to be buddy-buddy with them and invested in them. I hate when a torrent of characters are thrown into one place and without all the development of the main characters they're given huge roles and we're expected to just click with them. I think part of my dislike of this is that I just can't connect with a character that quickly and I like to see development- it's what I enjoy most from books! When new characters come around that's fine, but I want to see them grow and develop and be interesting before I actually appreciate them. Anyway, that's why I couldn't give the book five stars.

Overall, this book is fantastic. It raises interesting questions and also entertains. If you even considered picking it up, stop considering and just pick it up. You won't regret it!

Great start to a new series! Loved the middle-eastern mythology / western gun-slinger theme. Amani and Jin are both very likable characters that have you rooting for them from start to finish. Amani is not only a dead shot with her pistol, but she is brave and willing to take risks. Outside of Duskwalk there is a rebellion brewing. One of the Sultan's sons, the rebel prince, is leading this rebellion and is being hunted. So soldiers are looking everywhere for him and his rebels - even in Duskwalk. Amani desperately wants to leave Dustwalk before her uncle marries her to himself! With no parents, she is at the mercy of her uncle. But, when she crosses paths with a handsome foreigner she realizes that he could be her only way out. Amani has never left Dustwalk, and although she doesn't know what lies outside of her dusty little town, she is willing risk everything to find out.

Hamilton does an excellent job weaving in fast-paced action, mythical beasts, and romance into an original and beautiful story! There are lots of plot twists and turns that make this one a great page-turner! A definite must read! If you love fantasy, middle-eastern mythology, westerns and romance you'll love this book! Recommended for ages 14 and up!

I definitely enjoyed this book. I loved how the world was a mix of the Old West, Middle Eastern culture, and fantasy. I liked how Amani wasn't a perfect character who always took the moral high ground---sometimes she thought about doing the wrong thing, sometimes she <i>did</i> do the wrong thing---but she grew as the story went on. The demdji (half-djinn) aspect was cool. I liked seeing the different abilities the demdji had, the different ways the author used djinn mythology. One thing I didn't like though was that the romance felt forced; I didn't feel anything between Amani and Jin. I also never really connected to Amani. Mostly, the way I feel about this book is that I liked it, but I don't know if I liked it enough to spend the time and money to continue the series. But if it sounds good to you, I would recommend it!

Rating: 4 Stars

Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight (link in profile)

Before I started reading the book I had a feeling that I would enjoy it. I was also gravitated by the beautiful cover. The book didn’t disappoint, to say the least. I really enjoyed the plot. I liked the combination of Middle Eastern culture and western cowboy vibe in the story. I also liked the fact that story had many surprises as you go along the story. I also enjoy the fact that book had a lot of myths, legends and its own story about the world.

Another thing I liked about the book was the characters. I think Amani is awesome, she is funny and sassy in every way. I mean despite her not knowing a lot about the real world outside of Dustwalk she didn’t let that stop her from going on the journey. She had a dream and she went for it. I also liked the fact she is a talented shooter and can take care of herself.

For Jin, the other character I thought was very intriguing. He pretty was funny as well but also was always there for Amani. I also liked that he gets all the good lines that I am sure you will find enough to quote after.

For the magic itself, I have mixed feelings. I liked the magical elements in the book from the Djinn elements and the fact that there was also magical creatures like Nightmares(creepy monsters that come out at night). Though do wish I could’ve seen more of. I guess due to the size of the book there wasn’t any room to put them all in.

Overall I really enjoyed the book and has so much fun reading it. I really liked getting to know the characters and watching how they interact with each other. If you are interesting checking out the book yourself I do have an affiliate link at the bottom of this post and until next time keep on reading.

Without a doubt, this book has been my favourite of 2016! It was just so perfect in every way. As soon as I finished it I wanted to reread it again and again and again, it was that good!

I was honestly really, really nervous going into this book. As soon as I saw the cover I knew I had to have it. Just look at the cover. Gorgeous right? It’s seriously one of the best covers I have ever seen in a long while. But I kept wondering if my excitement was just going to come crashing down around me. I didn’t want another repeat of Truthwitch. But seriously, why did I even freak out? It completely exceeded all of my expectations.

So, what made it so amazing? First, it’s a blend of Arabian Nights and the Wild West. When you first hear this you automatically think what?! No, but really these two worlds fit perfectly together. It’s a world where technology such as trains and guns coexist with Djinni and magic. It’s mainly set in the desert which is why these two genres or settings work together. The desert is the perfect embodiment of what this story is about – it’s a struggle, harsh and only the strongest survive.

Amani is everything I adore in a lead character. She’s feisty, strong, self confident and man can that girl use a gun! Her world is tough, especially for a woman, and she has had to endure so much to survive her dead end town of Dustwalk. I really respected Amani and the development she makes throughout the book. I saw a lot of myself in her or at least what I would like to be.

And Amani’s love interest Jin?!?!?! I LOVED him so, so much! He’s just perfect in every way. He’s just so swoon worthy! I loved how he interacted with Amani. They were just so darn cute together! I appreciated that they developed a friendship first before anything. It wasn’t love at first sight, which is the best type of love and probably the most believable in my opinion.

And the ending? It’s made way for an even more intriguing sequel with more problems that the characters will have to overcome. For a debut, the author has written with such ease and believability. I am so excited for what will come next. If you haven’t read this book, you really, really need to!!

REBEL OF THE SANDS was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. I’ve been excited for it ever since the book deal was announced and everyone was set in a frenzy. Soon after, the UK cover became the US one—it’s gorgeous!—and I wanted it even more.

Debut author Alwyn Hamilton merges the desert of Arabia with a little bit of the Wild West. We have djinns, ghouls, Arabian names and clothing (though I did notice some clothing more common in India had somehow snuck in), and then we’ve got guns and shrapnel, runaway trains, and a hint of a western accent—it was a great mesh of worlds that Alwyn weaves flawlessly. We don’t get a lot of either world, but if I were to choose a side, I’d say this is more of a western than an Arabian (there you go, coining the term for you guys).

Amani Al’Hiza, our lead girl, was the epitome of fiery—she’s got aim better than any man you know, she’s got a mouth that just can’t stay closed, and makes some terrible decisions with rabid thoughts to back them up. You can probably tell I hated her at times, but in the end, I have to admit that I like her. She was original. She made huge mistakes, some of them selfish, but don’t we all?

Jin was mysterious and intriguing right from the start, with snarky remarks to combat Amani’s tongue. He fought just as good, but not quite as good, as Amani. I love how she was the better one, the stronger one. The one with the better aim, despite everyone undermining her. Jin and Amani aside, the book has a brilliant cast of characters, especially the ones we encounter in the last third of the book. I loved them all, and really hope we get to see more of everyone in the books to come. The one character who stole my heart right from the start was Tamid, Amani’s best friend. Shame we only got to see a little bit of him, too!

The book starts off slow, but the adventure was non-stop, with the pacing building and building until the grand finale. We aren’t tortured with a cliffhanger ending, but there are enough loose threads to keep us hungry for the sequel.

The last eighty or so pages were by far my favorite. The suspense was palpable and I couldn’t flip the pages fast enough. Those eighty-ish pages were what cemented my enjoyment factor for the book, and I’m glad!

That said, anytime I had to set the book down, I didn’t feel that overwhelming need, or compulsion, to pick it back up again. That could be because of life, but I’m just not sure why I felt that way, and I think it’s definitely worth mentioning.

In the end, I did think REBEL OF THE SANDS was a great debut. It wasn’t as mind-blowing as I expected it to be, but that’s my fault for setting high expectations. Alwyn Hamilton’s writing is flawless and well-done, but with a little more of everything (character development, research, plot smoothening) I think I would have enjoyed it much, much more.

Amani is a resident of a town called Dustwalk. All the town has is a weapons factory and that is it. As the story begins, we see that with the death of both her parents, she is living with her uncle and aunt. But she has been dreaming of leaving the town for good, first along with her mother and then on her own. Little did she expect her life changing with the entry of a foreigner. Jin is attractive and with a mind of his own. Without any knowledge of what he really is up to, she leaves her town behind with him and embarking on a journey of self-discovery.

Amani is a girl who is easy to like. Gun slinging and with a bit of a temper, she can hold her own in most situations. She has the most outrageous plans in the tight situations. But it has kept her alive and well. Jin on the other hand is wrapped up in mystery. He is someone who has travelled the world and has big ideas of his own. But not much about him is revealed till the end and as such the air of mystery around him only makes the readers curious about him. There are few more characters in the book who play important roles and I liked Shazad among them.

The best part about the book is the world building. The author gives us information about the world slowly and steadily while making sure that the plot progresses at a steady pace. This is a whole new world of Djinns, Ghouls and other creature along with halflings and humans. There were quite a few twists that I didn’t see coming even though hints were left from the beginning.

With beautiful narration and a steady pace, the book is an entertainer. I have quite a few ideas and so I will be sure to pick up the next book in the series.

Amani is a great character. She lives in Miraji, a desert nation that seems to think women are invisible, for the most part. But Amani hasn’t let this get in her way too much. She has taught herself to be one of the best sharpshooters ever and she has plans to make her own way in the world.

It is because of Amani’s shooting abilities that she meets Jin, a foreigner with secrets of his own. Amani knows he’s hiding something but she doesn’t know quite what it is. Jin is willing to take Amani away from Dustwalk and that is all she needs to know. She isn’t too worried about his secrets as she has her own plans for the future.

I really love how this desert nation is a cross between the wild west and mythological beings. It is a wonderful mix that, in a way, had me thinking about the TV series Firefly.

This novel was rather fast-paced and was bale to keep me intrigued. Sure, I had guessed some of the twists, but there were more that I didn’t. This was a really fun book to read and I cannot wait until the sequel comes out and I can read more of Amani’s story.

This review first appeared at Orandi et Legendi.

It may sound strange to combine Wild West with Middle Eastern influence but, somehow, it worked really well. The main character, Amani, is desperate to escape. Her life is boxed in by the dusty, rundown town where she lives and her remaining family doesn’t try to make things better. When a forced marriage looms in her future, she knows she must get out. What I loved about Amani was her will to survive, of course, but she as also a sharp shooter who is determined to use those skills to get out of Dodge, so to speak. The Old West feel of the story fit in really well with the town of Dustwalk and the lawless, scrappy life that everyone lived in the desert. In addition, Jin, the charming stranger, managed to both fit into the wild west trope and develop into something more. I loved their dynamic because he seemed to immediately recognized that Amani was looking for more from her life, but she wasn’t waiting for someone to rescue her. The action sequences, which range from running away on horseback to riding on top of trains, gave the book a fast pace. If I had the time, I probably would have finished this story in one sitting, because I definitely didn’t want to put it down.

The mythology is a big part of the story. In the last few years, there have been several books involving Jinn mythology. Going far beyond the Western world’s cartoonish understanding of these mythical beings, Rebel of the Sands adds a new dimension to the myth and weaves it in with a band of rebels trying to free their kingdom and, in turn, the greater world. Amani transforms from the girl who is only out for herself to a rebel who wants to stay and fight for a greater good. Along the way, she has an amazing and emotional journey of loss, love, and self-discovery. Rebel of the Sands had everything a good adventure should: compelling characters, a rich and vibrant setting, an emotional quest, and sweet romance. I kept hearing that this book was outstanding and I have to say I agree. I don’t want to give away too much, but rest assured that I think this book is living up to its hype. I am so excited for this series and I cannot wait to read more!

After losing her mother, Amani is left in the hands of her shifty uncle, cruel aunt and unruly cousins. With a smart mouth, Amani is lucky if she will survive in the household before her uncle decides to force her on a husband or simply take her on as another wive for himself. Wishing to be free of the terrible town of Dustwalk that she calls home, Amani saves for months in order to participate in a gun shooting competition. Disguising herself as a boy and sneaking out into the night, the “Blue Eyed Bandit,” which she will soon be known as, uses all her money to enter into the competition in order to win the prize money and head to the city Izman, to her mother’s sister, in the hopes of escaping this so called life she has here.

Of course, Amani has trained herself to be an extraordinary sharpshooter and when she enters the competition she realizes this competition is like child’s play. With victory within her grasp she suddenly realizes nothing is what it seems. Between a foreign stranger, cries of the rebellion, myths becoming reality and lineage becoming known, this book is full of surprises, romance and jawbreaking realization that you never see coming.

Amani reminded me so much of the heroine from Seven Daughters & Seven Sons (which, of course, is why i read it right after). She is a strong willed, stubborn, smart mouthed, skilled sharpshooter with sheer determination to escape her life, that she allows nothing to stand in her way. She defies everything in the world of men for a chance at her freedom. She was also a change from some other YA heroines who are whiny, weak and quite honestly annoying. I didn’t find one instance where I didn’t appreciate Amani as a character and I will honestly say she was perfect portrayed by the author. What I loved most about Amani was that she wasn’t that special, she was a damn good sharpshooter and she was smart but for the most part she was just an ordinary girl… She didn’t use anything but her wits and her gun to make her escape and mark on the world, making her a remarkable heroine that I can’t wait to read more about.

Then we have Jin. Jin is our swoon worthy foreigner whom we know absolutely nothing about. He is secretive, protective, charming, mysterious and everything in between. Though we get snippets from Jin’s past, we never get enough to answer the question: Who the hell is he? We guess, we rant, we rave and we root for who he is, but we can never quite get it right. Although we eventually find out a lot about him, the suspense and mystery behind his elusive past is thrilling and intriguing to keep wanting to read faster and faster to find out.

One of the BEST things in this book revolved around the romance. No love triangle and no instalove! Hurray! It was clear from the start that Jin and Amani would soon have feelings for each other but the relationship was built upon like a normal relationship would be. There was no instant love declaration and for that I was thankfully. Furthermore, Amani had one person she was interested in: Jin. No one else! I have to say, though I am not a fan of instalove, I can live with it provided the story works. Love triangles though? I despise with a passion and am forever thankful that this book had none!

My only qualm about this book was the setting and the mythical aspects of the book. At first, I did not feel really immersed into the story. It took a bit for me to get into the world Hamilton built and then I felt as though the creatures were almost an afterthought as I constantly forgot about them. They just did not seem to make too much of an appearance until later in the book and while I understand why, with the synopsis I was expecting more magical, mythical and powerful things to be more prominent in the book.

Rebel of the Sands is a face paced, action and adventure filled story that will leave you with a satisfactory feeling knowing that the book was wrapped up without cliffhanger, but also knowing full well there is more to come. It was a struggle to put down and inevitably, because of that, I never did. Yup, I read this book in one sitting with barely any stopping. It was that engrossing.

I decided to reread this series before I tackle Hero at the Fall. I was in a reading slump when I read Rebel of the Sands AND Traitor to the Throne so I needed to renew my excitement for this series before it ends.
Amani dreams of leaving her deadbeat town and when she encounters Jin, she gets the opportunity to do so. But on their way out of the town, the two of them keep getting caught up in trouble, adventures and encountering mystical creatures (none of which I have EVER seen before). The only way I can describe this novel without spoiling anything is to say that it is totally unique. It was surprising and unpredictable and I loved every second of it. Since I read this so long ago and was in such an awful book slump , I also couldn't remember lots of details about this book. Rereading was a great way to get back into this world and I can't wait to binge-read the rest of this series. If you haven't read this yet, now is the perfect time to binge the series.

A captivating debut, Rebel of the Sands has it all! It's an action packed read with rich world building, adventure, character chemistry that practically ignites the pages, magic, epic battles, fantasy, and a fascinating lore. Hamilton's debut is one that blends together Western, Middle East and Fantasy elements together beautifully. It's unlike any other story I've read before, and one I really enjoyed!

I love it when a book has characters that are not only well written, but all have a purpose. Each character, whether they're a main one, or supporting one, all help bring this incredible story to life. I loved that whether they're a good or bad character, they each have a belief in something that is greater than themselves. Their belief in their cause drives to make the choices they do. I liked that there's a history and magic that runs so deep within some of the characters. Their abilities are part of what make the battle scenes epic.

Amani is a character I really liked. She's a girl who's stuck in a society that wants to suppress who she is. She's not someone who will sit back and allow others to dictate or control who is she, and what she's able to do. She has courage, determination, and an inner fire that makes her restless, and willing to risk it out to escape her dead end town, regardless of the deadly consequences that she may face. There's a wildness in her I admired, and it's something that ties into her abilities, which I won't mention for the sake of spoilers. I really enjoyed the characters Amani meets after her journey. There's so much they teach her about who she is, and what she can do.

The character chemistry in this book is one I loved! There's an irresistible pull between Armani and Jin. It's the kind that is both sigh worthy and maddening all at the same time. What these two have ignites the pages when they're together. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough to see what would happen next between these two. There's so much that they've shared with each other, and so much they haven't, that puts them both in danger. I loved watching their relationship grow, and the untold secrets between them unravel. My word, I need more of these two!

There are so many elements to this story that when combined, they all worked together perfectly to tell an unforgettable story. From the world building, to her characters and their dialogue, everything about Hamilton's story is captivating. The diverse world in which the characters live in is vividly detailed, and easily imagined. I loved that the world plays a role in the magic abilities some of the characters have. Speaking of magic, the battles that happen are epic. This book has a little bit of everything, but the magic, and fantasy were some of my favorites.

Hamilton has come blazing into the YA book scene with this incredible debut. Her storytelling is amazing. Like the stories you'd except to be told around a campfire, that are rich with legend, and lore, and are passed one from generation to generation, this is a story that felt very much like that at it's heart. I need more of her books!! This debut is one I thoroughly enjoyed, and I'm looking forward to reading it's sequel!

4.5 stars

I take pride in searching for the unique reads of the world... The ones that pull you into the words and away from reality. Books that capture your soul and leave you feeling like you left a piece of you behind with the last page. Rebel of the Sands was one of those reads... It was quick to capture my attention and left me craving more long after the final page. What really caught my attention as a reader was the how vivid each scene was. I could really picture the gritty sands, makeshift buildings, and creatures painted in swirls of light and dark. I could feel the air from the horses toss my hair every which way and I could feel the love bloom deep within my heart.

The characters were a huge part of the book and I loved each one in a different way. Amani was a heroine that all will learn to appreciate! She was strong and fierce... Manipulative, but in the best way possible. She knew how to shoot a gun and was able to capture the readers attention with her softer side. Jin was the mysterious guy with an unexpected twist... He had secrets and was on a dangerous journey. When him and Amani meet it turns into a middle eastern "Bonnie & Clyde'ish" scenerio. Together they face mythological creatures and fight for a better world.

For those wondering... Yes, there was romance and no it wasn't instalove. It was a gradual slow burn relationship that fed off of danger. It was passionate and quirky and definitely swoon worthy!

All in all, I really loved this story! I enjoyed the twists and turns and found myself unable to stop turning the pages. For the most part I thought it was an awesome debut... Yeah, some of the story was bit scattered and it did seem a tad rushed towards the end, but those things didn't take away from all of the wonderful things that happened. I thought the Author did a great job at creating a unique world with characters that were captivating and fun to read about. I can't wait for the sequel!

This book has completely blown away my expectations. Everyone has been raving about it and now I will rave and gush about it. At first, I was hesitant to read this book because hype almost always ruins a book, but let me tell you- the hype is real.

I went into the books without reading the summary, so my expectations are a direct result of reading reviews. And it says something that this book has exceeded my expectations which were based on 5 star reviews. Once I started though, I could not stop reading. I finished the book in one day. This is one of those stories where you will be sucked into the captivating characters and nonstop action. The story just grabs you and refuses to let go. There is never a dull moment and expect the unexpected with this book. Rebel of the Sand proves that the young adult genre is not an inferior genre.

This isn't a story for the faint hearted. Alwyn Hamilton does not hold any punches and it's fascinating to learn about Miraji culture, considering many of their customs can be found around the world today, especially gender inequalities. It's horrifying to learn that some cultures today still carry some of those beliefs. These circumstances made me love Amani more. She refuses to succumb to the confining laws of her home and decides to pursue her own future elsewhere. She has flaws like any human, but she learns from mistakes. She's smart enough to survive in the desert and can take care of herself. Jinn is another character that I absolutely fell in love with. His character was definitely the cherry on top of this fabulous sundae. I already predict there will be many Jinn fans. I've even created a nickname for the couple- Jamani! I hope we get more scenes with him in the next book, because I just couldn’t get enough of him in this one.

The mythology was another aspect I loved. I'm a big mythology freak, so reading about the mythologies in this book was fascinating. The story was unique and complex, but well-written. The world-building was also well-developed. I found no faults with either. Honestly, I found no faults with anything in this book. Even with moments where I disagreed with Amani's actions, I still loved her, which reflects Alwyn Hamilton's amazing writing method.

I cannot wait for the second book. I recommend this book a thousand times. Everyone should get their hands on this book. This will go down in history as one of the best books of 2016 or at least in my opinion. :)

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Where to start with this wonderful book? I really loved Rebel of the Sands. It wasn't quite a five star book but it was a close call. I don't think I'd ever get sick of these kind of books — The kind where every page is practically a wonder and where anything can happen.

I loved Amani's journey. Mostly because she truly evolves from this girl who thinks about herself first (because she mostly grew up with not a lot of people to have her back) to someone who discovers true friendship on the way and actually thinks about those people first.

I also really liked her relationship with Jin. I'm glad to say it wasn't insta-love at all. So we can all cheer about that. She actually got to know Jin over the course of a couple of months. And I also can't say that the romance was a big thing in this book. There was a hint of it, a few kisses but that was it. I loved that.

The secondary characters were also very interesting to read about. They really brought something extra to the story that wouldn't have been there if it was just about Amani and Jin.

The story had a lot of plot twists. Some I had seen coming but other were unexpected and quite startling. The writing was impeccable. I almost felt like I was in the desert, along with Amani, Jin and all the others.

Rebel of the Sand by Alwyn Hamilton was close to being flawless. The setting, the characters, the plot twists, the writing... all of it was so perfectly done. It was one of those books that I had a hard time to put down because I wanted to keep reading, to keep finding out more and more about this world and these characters.

Rebel of the Sands, Alwyn Hamilton’s debut novel, is a compelling adventure with likable characters and an alluring setting. Amani Al’Hiza has been dreaming of leaving her town for years. Her mother always said she would get them both out, away from Amani’s father, and together they’d find a new life in the capital of Izman. But in a span of a moment, Amani loses both her parents, leaving her in the hands of her aunt and uncle. Amani knows there is only one fate for a young woman in the town of Dustwalk, but she is determined to forge her own destiny. Amani is a driven character, a self-taught sharpshooter, who wants more out of life than the opportunities afforded to her in her own town. She crosses paths with Jin, a young man on the run, who she falls into a partnership with. I loved their relationship from the start. They rely on one another, recognizing each other’s strengths and regard each other as equals which is very important to Amani who has been treated like a second-class citizen her whole life.

Rebel of the Sands takes place in a desert country with a rich history and an interesting system of beliefs. The ancient Djinni still hold influence over the people of Mirajin and there are dark creatures that thrive in the shadows. Nightmares and Skinwalkers stalk the night, looking for victims to devour. But it is the Buraqi, the desert horses, that capture the beauty and danger of the land of Mirajin. These creatures are a part of the desert itself, beautiful and elusive, capable of crossing the desert in the blink of an eye. Magic has been a part of Mirajin since the beginning of time, but with the growing influence of foreigners the magic of the land is beginning to fade as the world begins to creep into a new era of weaponry. The Sultan has forged an alliance with the Gallan, a foreign army, much to the detriment of his people. But there are rumors of another power threatening to rise. The Rebel Prince, son of the Sultan, is calling for change and in a land where the people continue to suffer at the hands of the Gallan, his following grows strong. Amani’s first instinct has always been to run, but she’s about to find herself in the middle of a revolution and must decide if it’s time for her to stop running and accept a different destiny than the one she had planned for herself

Alwyn Hamilton’s Rebel in the Sands has so much to offer in terms of characters and setting. The world she has built is bold and enchanting, and I found myself craving more and more of it. Her characters are well-written, and I love that Hamilton takes time to peel away their layers.

This YA book took me completely by surprise. I try not to read other reviews if I think I'm going to review a book myself, but I had read the synopsis. It sounded intriguing, but didn't sound special, yep, insert foot here. I'll get back to this statement, I promise, BUT, Rebel of the Sands did have some similarities to other YA novels. Amani was an orphan, living in her aunt's household, an outsider who wanted to escape her small town and small life. Yep, I've seen that theme before in other books, most notably Tris in the Divergent series, although it was a faction, instead of a town. Unlike Tris, Amani didn't have a supporting life she was leaving behind. She only had one friend, a young man, who was also somewhat of an outcast. Rebel of the Sands, as other YA books do, has a love interest, Jin. Unlike Tris's immediate moon eyes for Four, Amani and Jin have a slightly antagonist love-hate relationship, filled with some great one liners and engaging dialog. So, yes, the underlining themes were there, escaping poor upbringing, young love, and self discovery, but what made this book so good was the great dialog, the adventure, and the setting.

Alwyn Hamilton's Rebel of the Sands is set in the sweeping sands of a desert, a la Arabian Nights. A world that should've been without color, filled with sand, grit and dust, that Hamilton made colorful through her descriptive language and great dialog. Amani, unlike Tris from Divergent, went on her journey of self discovery and actually discovered herself! She was always strong and unique, but she started off self absorbed and single minded. Amani's tunnel vision widened so she could view the world in technicolor, and Hamilton's imagery delivered that impact.

Special. That is the exact word I would use to describe Rebel of the Sands. I am removing my foot out of my mouth now.

I was really excited about a Middle-Eastern fantasy, with djinni and magic and....guns? Yeah, the guns threw me off, especially since none of the other technology that would normally develop along side guns seem to be present. But I eventually got use to that.

I liked Amani just fine and I like Jin too. I even liked them together,I won't say they sizzled or anything like that, but I liked them. I liked the side characters, once they started showing up.

My main issue had to do with the fact that the first half of the book feels aimless. It's basically just two people running around and confronting whatever pops up at them. Toward the end a goal, I might even say a plot finally developed. But as this is a series, the book ended before the overarching plot really got rolling.

I liked the writing just fine. The cover is awesome (the original one) and, again, I liked the characters and that there is some diversity in the cast. In fact, I liked this a lot more than a lot of YA books I've read. Jin is more than willing to let Amani shine and I appreciated that. I like a hero who lets a heroine step forward. But I always have a problem when gender disparities are used as a plot device and not explored. Even worse, when it's used, it's not explored, other less objectionable aspects of the culture being borrowed from aren't included to balance the sexism out (as if the only notable things about the Middle-Eastern setting are the sand, the tents and the horrible way they treat women) and one character is just randomly able to buck the cultural immersion of an entire life. Why her and not other women?

Regardless, I liked it just fine and I'll be reading the next one.

Note: I borrowed a copy from my local library.

5 “sandy” stars

A copy has been kindly provided by Faber and Faber through Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

I love female character taking fate by the horns. I love fantasy. I love tales with Djinni, Ghouls, sand and fire creatures. I love epic adventure where you escape soldiers, jump from roofs and discover unexpected new talents. I love romance. This book and I were a match made in heaven!!!!

This is a world where “ Djinn who fell in love with worthy princesses and gave them all of their hearts’ wishes. Pretty girls who lured Nightmares straight on to men’s blades. Brave merchants’ daughters who caught Buraqi and rode them to the ends of the earth” and I loved everything about it!

Meet Amami or The Blue Eyed Bandit.

She is a girl from Dustwalk a poor small desert town where girls are worth nothing and guns are plenty as it’s hosting the Sultan’s weapon factory. Orphaned and oppressed by her aunt and uncle she dreams of escaping this life and find her aunt in Izman.
She’s taught herself how to shoot a gun for years now and tonight is her night. She’ll win the shooting competition and will leave with the money. Only… it did not go according to plan.
Never backing from a challenge she is smart mouthed. “Aunt Farrah always said I didn’t seem to mind proving myself dumb if it meant proving someone else wrong.” Very handy with a gun she’ll soon be embarked on an incredible adventure following Jin the foreigner. It will be a constant race across the desert alongside Jin, escaping magic creatures and soldiers.

“My story. I’d spent my life dreaming of my own story that could start when I finally reached Izman. A story written in far-off places I didn’t know how to dream about yet. And on my way there, I’d slough off the desert until there was nothing left of it to mark the pages. Only Jin was right. I was a desert girl. Even in Izman I would still be the same Blue Eyed-Bandit with a hanged mother, who left her friend dying.”

For a very long time in the book I wondered if Jin was working with the rebels. The country is under the Sultan’s reign and his allies the Gallans. The Gallan people chased all magic from their land and killed the old beings. They hunt every magical creature and their children, born from women and Djinni. The Sultan’s rogue son wants to seize the power kick the Gallans out of the country and create a new dawn, a new desert.

Amami can’t ignore what’s happening to her people, her desert to their beliefs. From the girl leaving others in the dust in her need to create her own lonely path she’ll become a part from something bigger. She’ll make new friends and find kinship. Something worth fighting for.

“This revolution was a legend in the making. The kind of tale that sprawled out long before me and far beyond my reach. The sort of epic that was told over and over to explain how the world was never the same after this handful of people lived and fought and won or died trying. And after it happened, the story seemed somehow inevitable.“

It was fast paced. The storytelling was compelling, the plot solid without any filler or dull moment. The characters are very well portrayed and I could relate to Amami as she wants to be someone worthy and not “just a girl”. She wants to take matters in her own hands and not be ruled by men. I could never live under other’s thumb and could only cheer each time she did something reckless to save someone else or escape by the skin of her teeth. I loved the banter and her sarcastic remarks. I’m always admiring girls with wit and she had it in truckload! I swear you’ll also root for her.

The tandem with Jin worked very smoothly. They had each other’s back and were perfectly assorted always doing some grand last minute escape. I swear I forgot to breathe so many times always believing this would be the end!

So it’s epic tale or epic fantasy at its best and I can’t wait to read the second book!

Over Thanksgiving Break, I read devoured Rebel of the Sands in a matter of days. So, without further ado, here are five reasons to pick up this book:

1. Amani- and all the girl power
Our main character, Amani Al'Hiza, is one of those characters I couldn't help but root for from the beginning. She is tough, smart, and a sharpshooter. Amani's voice is both gritty and real. How could you not love a character with the nickname The Blue-eyed Bandit?

2. Jin- everyone's favorite fugitive
Jin was another amazing character. I loved every run-in with him, as excitement always followed. I loved seeing him and Amani grow close and I can't wait to see more of them together!

3. The desert and all its surprises
First of all, the desert seems to live and breathe in this book. It is so vividly described and you can see how it is such a part of Amani. And, the best part, is that mythological creatures roam the desert. All of the mythology in Rebel of the Sands was incredibly well developed.

4. Guns! Shooting! Adventure!
I was surprised and impressed by Alwyn Hamilton's affinity for action scenes. There is never a dull moment and I loved Amani's ability with a gun. The fight and on-the-run scenes were always fraught with tension.

5. The ending- I'm ready for book two
After some amazing reveals and twists, I am ready for everything to go down in Traitor to the Throne. (Although I am a bit disappointed by the cover change... Rebel of the Sands is SO BEAUTIFUL and I would have loved the second book to match. *sigh*)

Overall, I cannot recommend Rebel of the Sands enough. You will want to get on board with this new, exciting series!!!

So, after much bugging from my friends to read this, I finally did (the release of the sequel is also a big push) and I am glad because I definitely enjoyed it. The story was original and fresh, with a main protagonist whose storyline felt unique (finally, someone who isn’t a long-lost princess or who becomes the leader of a rebellion – she just gets swept up in one on her way to become her own person, because said rebellion will help make sure she can). The plot had me constantly interested, and the setting is beautifully rendered with a mixture that feels part old western and part Arabian Nights. The world building was wonderful, and the storyline flowed well with all the right twists and turns to keep me captivated.

I did, however, find that the pacing was too fast at times, with some scenes that felt as though they could use more description, but mostly I felt annoyed when it seemed that the author did not want to write travelling scenes. I get that those can be tedious at times, but it felt jarring to me to suddenly be in a new place, several days later, and then to be given a brief overview of the travel it took to get there. I know they aren’t always the most interesting things to write, but sometimes the conversations and actions that occur during travel are the most revealing about the characters.

Overall, though, I really enjoyed this book and thought it was a very original story with some great characters and a unique plot. The pacing may have been too fast at times, but it definitely made up for it in the story itself. Looking very much forward to the sequel.

There were supernatural abilities and beings, which are fun to me. My favorite parts in of this book were finding out about the new places the characters would travel to, and wondering how some of the characters would use their abilities.

The book had too much of knowing the main character's physical attraction to other people for me. I don't know what it is like for other people, but I don't like to know about people's thoughts TOO much. Especially when they are thinking about another person's body. I know it is fiction, but I wish that stuff would stay in private.

It is hard to skip over things you don't like in books, but I try to get past things that are too graphic or gross to me. That stuff seems meaningless and distracts from what is interesting in the story for me.

There was enough action and imagination to keep me going through the book, so I think it is an OK story. I kind of want to read the sequels, but as with anything, I'd rather they make movies or video games out of it. :P I know doing that isn't as easy as saying it, but reading words is never going to be as good to me as real action, animation, voices, sound, and more.

This book started a little slow. I should clarify that, and say it was really the first chapter that was slow. I was not drawn into the story immediately. It took a while to grow on me. At first if felt a bit like a Western with an odd religious (maybe Middle Eastern) vibe. Once I started seeing more of the fantasy and getting to know the characters a little more i was able to enjoy it.

The characters were strong and they developed and grew during the story. Amani starts the story as a smart talking gunslinger. Are there any gunslingers that are start talking? As she learns about the world outside of Dustwalk, she becomes stronger. Jin who saves her from Dustwalk doesn't develop quite as much as a character but he does grow.

What I appreciated most about this book was that it surprised me. There was a reveal that I did not see coming. I can't say anything more without spoilers, but I suggest reading because it isn't often a book surprises me.

The story had magic, mythical, creatures, and an interesting history. The characters were vibrant and the romantic tension between our main characters was just right.